Friday, February 3, 2017

TOP STORY >> Base honors civic leaders with 2016 Cornerstone Award

U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Brown Jr., 19th Airlift Wing commander, presents the 2016 Cornerstone Award to Mrs. Billie Ann Myers and her late husband Oliver “Dub” Myers, on Tuesday at Hangar 1080 on Little Rock Air Force Base.Mrs. Myers and family received the award on Mr. Oliver Myers’ behalf and were honored to be selected for this recognition. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Jeremy McGuffin)

By Staff Sgt. Jeremy McGuffin

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Colonel Charles Brown Jr., 19th Airlift Wing commander, presented the 2016 Team Little Rock Cornerstone Award to Oliver and Billie Ann Myers on Tuesday during a Community Council meeting.

The Team Little Rock Cornerstone Award was created to honor a prominent civic leader who exemplifies outstanding service and commitment to the men and women of Little Rock Air Force Base and continues to strengthen the foundation set by the Founding Fathers of Little Rock Air Force Base. The Myers achieved this through their life-long commitment to supporting the military. As Col. Brown made the announcement, he said they embodied the true representation of what it means to be not only leaders in the local community but steadfast supporters of the base and its Airmen.

“There’s a special bond that develops when we see those that continue to serve even after they have left the military service for civil service,” Brown said. “They as leaders see the value in what we, (Team Little Rock), do so they gather together with the local community and provide services by looking out for each other, taking care of families who’s loved ones are deployed and continuing to serve selflessly.”

A steadfast advocate for the military and the surrounding community, Oliver was a member of the base Community Council and the Military Affairs Chairman for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. His efforts were recognized with an appointment as honorary first sergeant, an honorary chief master sergeant and eventually the honorary commander of the 61st Airlift Squadron. Just as stalwart in her commitment to the community, Billie Ann diligently attended every event with her husband. Billie Ann graciously accepted their Cornerstone Award honor alone as her husband passed away in 2012.

“My biggest regret is that Oliver is not here to accept this award,” Billie Ann said. “He truly loved this base, loved the people who work on it and the people who supported the base. It’s not hard to serve Little Rock Air Force base because the base is Jacksonville, it is central Arkansas and it does so many wonderful things day in and day out while taking care of us. Thank you so much for this recognition and I’m proud we were considered family.”

(Editors note: Oliver “Dub” Myers served as a Brigadier General and former commander of the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas Army National Guard before retiring. He continued to serve the Arkansas community as a civic leader.)